Oldest Private Schools in California

The average private school in California was founded around 1976 (2024).
The oldest private school in California is San Domenico School, founded in 1850.
Year Founded Range: 1850 1891 Avg. Year Founded: 1874

Oldest Private Schools in California (2024)

School
Founding Date
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
San Domenico School
San Domenico School Photo - Located on 515 acres in San Anselmo, California, our campus features state-of-the art academic facilities, a music conservatory, swimming pool, gymnasium, one-acre organic garden, 2,358 solar panels, and six tennis courts. We are located 20 minutes north of San Francisco.
(15)
Founding Date: 1850
Grades: K-12
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 258-1900
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Bellarmine College Preparatory
Bellarmine College Preparatory Photo
All-boys (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
960 W Hedding St
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 294-9224
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School Photo - Notre Dame graduates matriculate to impressive universities. Our rigorous curriculum, co-curricular programs and personalized counseling prepare students for success in college and beyond.
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: 9-12
596 S 2nd St
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1113
Rank: #44.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Photo - The Pavilion is the home court for the Fightin' Irish basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. On game days, up to 1,500 fans can be heard cheering for SHC student-athletes. The Pavilion also serves as a wonderful venue for school assemblies, rallies and prayer services.
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1852
Grades: 9-12
1055 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-6626
Rank: #55.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1855
Grades: 6-12
2001 37th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 731-7500
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Mission Dolores Academy
Mission Dolores Academy Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1856
Grades: K-8
3371 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 346-9500
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
St. Clare School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1856
Grades: PK-8
750 Washington St
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 246-6797
Rank: #88.
Mount St. Marys Academy
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1859
Grades: K-8
400 S Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 273-4694
Rank: #99.
Holy Names High School
Holy Names High School Photo
All-girls (Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1861
Grades: 9-12
4660 Harbord Drive
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 450-1110
Rank: #1010.
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School Photo - Holy Cross School ~ 2019 Preschool -8th grade
(Catholic)
(4)
Founding Date: 1862
Grades: PK-8
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-4447
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
The Hamlin School
All-girls
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: K-8
2120 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-0300
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
St. Mary's College High School
(Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1863
Grades: 9-12
1294 Albina Ave
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 526-9242
Rank: #1313.
Loyola High School
All-boys (Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1865
Grades: 9-12
1901 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 381-5121
Rank: #1414.
St. Mary School
(Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1871
Grades: PK-8
7900 Church St
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-2827
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Christian Brothers High School
Christian Brothers High School Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
4315 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 733-3674
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Mission College Prep High School
Mission College Prep High School Photo - Mission College Prep in Downtown San Luis Obispo, CA
(Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
682 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-2131
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Old Mission School
Old Mission School Photo - Welcome to Old Mission School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: PK-8
761 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-6019
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
St. Joseph Elementary School
St. Joseph Elementary School Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: PK-8
1910 San Antonio Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-4456
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Photo - Congratulations SJND graduates!
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1881
Grades: 9-12
1011 Chestnut Street
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-1526
Rank: #2020.
Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace
Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Photo - Established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, OLP has been educating the next generation of women leaders and innovators for more than 134 years.
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1882
Grades: 9-12
4860 Oregon Street
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 297-2266
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
ICA Cristo Rey Academy
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1883
Grades: 9-12
3625 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-2052
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
St. John's Lutheran School
St. John's Lutheran School Photo
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
(1)
Founding Date: 1883
Grades: NS-8
154 S Shaffer St
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 288-4400
Rank: #2323.
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo - Established in 1885 by the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the historic school building in nestled in a residential neighborhood close to downtown Redwood City.
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1885
Grades: PK-8
301 Grand St
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 366-6127
Rank: #2424.
Holy Rosary School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1886
Grades: PK-8
505 California Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 662-3494
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Convent & Stuart Hall
Convent & Stuart Hall Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1887
Grades: K-12
2222 Broadway St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 563-2900
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Head Royce School
Head Royce School Photo - Upper School Classroom
(1)
Founding Date: 1887
Grades: K-12
4315 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 531-1300
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
St. Brigid School
St. Brigid School Photo - Ist grade students enjoying the play system in our school yard.
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1888
Grades: PK-8
2250 Franklin St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-4523
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
St. Vincent De Paul Continuation School
St. Vincent De Paul Continuation School Photo - Art Class
(Catholic)
(9)
Founding Date: 1888
Grades: K-8
100 Howard Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 762-6426
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
Marlborough School
All-girls
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 7-12
250 S Rossmore Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 935-1147
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
Ramona Convent Secondary School
Ramona Convent Secondary School Photo - Our 19+ acre campus is more like a college than a high school. Expansive facilities support a broad and engaging curriculum.
All-girls (Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
1701 W Ramona Road
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 282-4151
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
St. Catherine's Academy
St. Catherine's Academy Photo - Our outstanding music department provides classroom instruction in music theory, music history, and musical experiences. Students are also welcome to play in the marching band and take private piano or guitar lessons.
All-boys (Catholic)
(2)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: K-8
215 N Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 772-1363
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy Photo - SMA Belles taking a break in the outdoor space of our library.
All-girls (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
701 Grace Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 674-8470
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
St. Raphael School
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: PK-8
1100 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-4455
Rank: #29 - 3429. - 34.
The Thacher School
The Thacher School Photo - "Education is not merely the making of scholars. It is the making of men and women. It is the training of the younger generation in the art of living for their own greatest good and the greatest good of their fellow citizens." -Sherman Day Thacher
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: 9-12
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-3210
Rank: #3535.
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School Photo - Monthly family liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church.
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1891
Grades: PK-8
741 Ware Avenue
Colusa, CA 95932
(530) 458-8208
Show 100 more private schools in CA (out of 1,838 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California average Private Schools founding year?
The California average Private Schools founding year is 1976 for 2024.
What are the Private Schools with oldest founding year in California?
The best top ranked Private Schools in California include San Domenico School, Bellarmine College Preparatory and Notre Dame High School.
What is private high school and private elementary school with the oldest founding year in California?
The private high school with the oldest founding year in California is San Domenico School, with a year of 1850. The private elementary school with the oldest founding year is San Domenico School, with a year of 1850.

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